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John Moore / Getty Images
Robert Munoz collects supplies from a mobile Red Cross unit on Nov. 7, in the Staten Island Borough of New York City.
The American Red Cross, which bills itself as "the world's largest humanitarian network," is pushing back against critics of its response to superstorm Sandy, with the head of the organization saying its relief effort has been "near flawless" despite criticism from stranded storm victims and elected officials.
Two weeks after the storm slammed the East Coast, leaving millions of residents without power and in need of food, warmth and shelter, the venerable nonprofit has taken a public battering over what many victims and some officials saw as a lackluster and unfocused response.
Thomas Donovan, a 43-year-old software salesman who was helping an elderly couple toss out heavy furniture and appliances from their flooded home last week in the hard-hit New York City community of Breezy Point, is among the disillusioned.
"Red Cross sucks," he said last week. "… I'm never giving them another dime."
Red Cross officials have been trying to walk the fine line between diplomacy and defense in explaining why their Sandy relief efforts have not always been appreciated.
Two weeks after Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast, New Yorkers question whether help from the Red Cross will arrive. But CEO President Gail McGovern defends what she calls a massive relief effort. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.
Laura Howe, a spokeswoman for the organization, said that responding in a badly damaged, densely populated urban area, and the unique cold-weather hurricane, both posed significant challenges to getting needed supplies to the hardest-hit areas.
But she also noted that the Red Cross has mounted its largest domestic disaster response in five years, deploying its entire fleet of more than 320 feeding trucks and sending nearly 6,000 relief workers to the devastated areas, mainly in New Jersey and New York.
We are "putting our resources where the need is greatest," Howe said.
And Gail McGovern, chief executive officer and president of the Red Cross, told NBC News' Lisa Myers late last week that the response has been timely and well-organized: "I think that we are near flawless so far in this operation."
"I know that there are people who have absolutely lost everything, that are cold, that are frightened, that are saying, 'Where is the American Red Cross?' and I am totally supportive of that. I understand their cry for help, but we are out there," she said.
When asked about the storm victims who are complaining that they haven't seen the Red Cross in their neighborhoods, McGovern said that the organization is using social media to help guide them to areas that they haven't yet reached. "We are looking at every single one of those cries for help, and we are moving people and supplies as quickly as we can," she said.
A snowstorm hits the Northeast as residents are still struggling to pick up the pieces after Superstorm Sandy.
The role of public punching bag is not new for the Red Cross, which has endured similar criticism after disasters like Hurricane Katrina, which hammered the Gulf Coast in 2005. The organization and its response are often held under a microscope, though federal and state government, the military and many other relief groups, also assist in recovery efforts.
'People are frustrated'
Howe, the Red Cross spokeswoman, said the anger felt by victims is not surprising, given what they are going through.
"We understand that people are frustrated," she said Friday. "Anybody who has been without power, who has had to deal with this level of damage in their homes for this period of time, is bound to be frustrated and we completely understand that. I would also say that this disaster is bigger than any one organization."
As of Sunday, the Red Cross was sheltering some 3,700 people and had delivered more than 4.8 million meals or snacks, and more than 477,000 relief items, she said.
"We are doing everything that we possibly can to be in as many places as quickly as possible but this is a big operation and we're up against a large geography and a large number of people that need to be served," she added.
Such arguments don't seem to carry much weight in communities severely affected by the storm.
James Molinari, president of the hard-hit Staten Island borough of New York City, on Nov. 1 labeled the organization's response there "an absolute disgrace" and went so far as to urge its residents not to donate to the largely volunteer agency.
Donovan, the Red Cross critic helping in Breezy Point, said he and his friends have been helping clean up there for about a week and had worked on some 30 homes. The Brooklyn resident, whose family has had a house in Breezy Point since he was a kid, said he had seen only one of the group's trucks there in that time.
"You don't see them. They're not here ... they're just not here," he said Thursday, a day after a nor'easter blew ashore, pushing another storm surge into water-logged areas and dumping about four inches of snow.
Other residents are more understanding.
John Makely / NBC News
Medeleine Dobriner, 66, of New Dorp, is at her third Red Cross shelter since Hurricane Sandy left her homeless.
At a nearby center being used to collect and hand out free food and cleaning supplies, 25-year-old Lauren Willis of nearby Roxbury said that she saw no sign of the Red Cross in the first days after Sandy hit on Oct. 29, flooding both her and her parents' homes. Since then, however, it has been a regular, helpful presence in her community.
"We were down here for four days and we had nothing, I mean nothing. … We didn't have any hot food" or water, said Willis, an emergency medical technician whose mother is a Red Cross volunteer. "Now they've come in, they're doing great work."
Getting the word out about a Red Cross presence in areas where communications are still in disarray after the storm also may feed the perception that the organization is absent. The organization said it was listing on its website the specific streets and communities where workers will be, but of course many storm victims still lack power, let alone Internet access.
A reporter saw a Red Cross mental health specialist in Breezy Point in the immediate aftermath of Sandy, and a few days later a Red Cross minitrailer was parked in the community. The organization's website listed several visits to the community through Sunday.
But, like Donovan, many residents interviewed over the last two weeks said they have not seen the Red Cross since the storm.
On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers Mary Gagnon and her husband, Dean, drove down Breezy Point's main road, stopping to offer ham-and-cheese or roast beef sandwiches. The couple, both 65 and retired, are unpaid volunteers who drove a Red Cross minitrailer from Madison, Wis., to help out.
How you can help in Sandy's aftermath
"We're out here. We're all around. We're everywhere," said Mary Gagnon, noting that she and her husband rotate between communities at the direction of a central dispatch.
The Red Cross has raised some $117 million in the aftermath of the disaster, though officials say they can't yet say how much has been spent on the relief effort. Calculating spending is complicated, because bills are still coming in and some services are covered by ongoing contracts, but Howe promised there would be a full accounting at the end of the response effort.
Charity Navigator, a nonprofit charity rating agency that aims to be a guide to intelligent giving, said the Red Cross received three out of four stars this year -- meaning it met most industry standards -- down from four the year before. Their ratings cover financial accountability and overall transparency.
Sandy effort a 'key indicator'
Its president and CEO, Ken Berger, said his analysts have seen a slight decline in the Red Cross' finances, such as fundraising efficiency. He also noted its working capital, equivalent to a "rainy day" fund, is not as large as they would like it to be.
"For an organization of this size and scale that's somewhat unique in its expertise and reach, that they may not always be as fast as we'd like, they may not always be as responsive as we'd like, but … we think they're overall performance at this point is OK," Berger said.
"There's still this lingering sense since Katrina that Red Cross still has some work to do to redeem its reputation," he added, noting the Sandy response may prove to be a "key indicator" of whether it has improved sufficiently.
Howe said the Red Cross was proud of their latest work but "would like it to be more perfect."
To that end, it is making an intensive push into some of the most hard-hit areas in New York and elsewhere through Monday. Volunteers will climb the stairs of apartment blocks to hand out relief items, like a heated "shower in a bag," hand warmers, garbage bags and work gloves, she said.
"While some people still need the blankets and the hand warmers, we've got others who are very much in the process of mucking out homes and they need the work gloves and the (dust) masks," Howe said. "We're really trying to make sure that we address that wide range of need that's out there."
But, Fran Menchini, 79, who plans to engage a private contractor to clean her flooded home in Breezy Point, said she doesn't think the Red Cross had anything to offer her.
"I saw them up at FEMA (a claim center outside Breezy Point)," she said. "What would they do? Were they offering anything? No. I need services, I don't need them to give me coffee."
NBC News' Senior Investigative Correspondent Lisa Myers and Producer Talesha Reynolds contributed to this report.
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Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook


text:
Real Americans are God-fearing, compassionate conservative Christians who love the Baby Jesus and America. They spend lots of time watching TV with their family, talking about how nice the things on the commercials are, and following the President's orders (Unless the president is a Mooslim). To relax, they make babies and shop for cheap things at Wal-Mart.
Real AmericansEdit
Our numbers are growing, soon we will have a Real American Army!
- Stephen Colbert
- The American Family
- Regular Americans
- Barry Goldwater
- George W. Bush
- Ronald Reagan The realest of them all.
- Tom DeLay
- Dale Earnhardt
- George Washington
- Hulk Hogan
- Toby Keith
- Jack Bauer
- Chuck Norris
- Ricky Bobby
- Cal Naughton Jr.
- Bill O'Reilly
- Joe Arpaio
- Rush Limbaugh
- Fonzie
- Gerald Ford
- Sean Hannity
- Walt Kowalski
- Cal Ripken Jr.
- Orly Taitz
- Glenn Beck
- Joe the Plumber
- This Lady on the Radio
- The Oathkeepers
- This Guy
- Kyle Busch
- Radar O'reiley
- Not Jimmie Johnson (aka. Jimmie Queerbait)
- James Bond (Shhhh he is a secret American)
- Jesus Christ
- Stewie Griffin
Charles JohnsonCharles Johnson is dead to us
- This Lady
- This other guy
- Joseph "Tax-Slayer" Stack The New Tax-bane of America!
- Solomon "Solly" Forell (Mr. Solly will be indispose for the next 10 to 20 years, so he will be unable to give an interview to the "Libural Media")
- Mike Vanderboegh of Sipsey Street Irregulars
and his team of Assassins/Child Killers!
- Chris Reichert Greatest American Hero of all Time!
Timothy McVeighFILE NOT FOUND
- Steven Blair
- Prop comic(?) Gallagher
- One Nation Under God
Hal TurnerMr. Turner has decided to spend more time with his prison bitch.
- Pee-man
- The Christian Moosama Ben Laddin: Freedom Fighter
Martin Peretztraitor Jim GreerYOU DAMN TRAITOR MOOSLIM-LOVER!!!
- This guy
Jared LoughnersHe is a filthy dirty commie hippie and the Tea Party denies he was ever part of Real America.
- a Patriot who was arrested for being a patriot
Honorary Real American:Edit
They may been born outside of America, but they feel like Real Americans
- Luke Angel
- The Douchebag Family
- NC GOP Mailer
- Anders Behring Breivik, the liberator of Norway and America's first European Tea Bagger.[1]
- These noble freedom fighters
Real American of The YearEdit
- Joseph Gamache: so white, he cant event hit anything! Not even air.
Lies About Real AmericansEdit
Liberals say Real Americans hate people based on a particularly unGodly trait:
- Gays (even though we apparently have them in the House of Representatives),
- Women (We don't hate them, they just can't be Real Americans because they lack a penis),
- Blacks (we can't even see color),
- Hispanics (well, thats true, unless they provide the Taco Bell)
- Indians (only good for serving us slushies and dental care. No arranged marriages here!)
- Asians (Oh yeah, you guys can see a whole lot, right?)
Okay, maybe this is a little racist. But if this is too disturbing for you, then leave Wikiality, and go to Wikipedia, where there are 98% facts and 2%
bias opinions truthiness, but hopefully you are not a little pussy.
The Restoration of Real America from The Communist RegimeEdit
- Many Real Americans are working to restore America's Past Glory, specially from 400 years ago, if successful America will rise again!
- This Real American will save us from the communist mooslim regime!
- This Real American is already doing his part! What about you??
- These
VeteransSoldiers are willing to go to prison to stop the communist threat
- The overthrowing of Repressive Laws
- We wont surrender against the communist threat!!!
- Pick up yer gun and start shooting those Mexicans, because if you dont, the Mexicans will shot you! Shawna Forde knows what am I talking about...
External TubesEdit
- Biblical Basis For Conservative Righteousness!
- Real American demands Independence from mooslim tyrant!
- Real American saves the world!
- Real American hero discovers truth about 9/11!!
- The Real American Media and how it makes America safe
- Real American calls for justice!
- A Real American Woman
- Real American arrested for exercising freedom of speech
- Real Americans: The New Brave Heroes on an Age of Darkness
- The Real American Manifesto
- Many Real Americans sign in for "The Minuteman Project"
- www.conservativesarealwaysright.com
- Real American Family targeted for being American!
- Real Americans are not Terrorists
- Real Americans to crack down on public immorality
- Republican Defends his right to free speech
- Real Americans ready for battle
- Real American women demand less sex
- Real Americans afraid of feminazis
- How to recognize a Real American woman
- Kentucky ready to take America back!
- Real American teacher to launch new wave of Real Americans to save America
- Real Americans to spread the message to "Save America" by
killingimpeaching the mooslim leader
- Real American lady to stop mooslim threat
- Liburals to continued their Jihadist Plan to destroy America
- Real Americans to give Obama new job once he is impeached
- Real Americans feel unsafe under mooslim tyrant
- Real American hero goes to jail for trying to save us from the mooslim tyrant
- how to be a Real American 101
- Real Americans continue their struggle to save America
- More Heroes are being hunt down by Obama's Gestapo
- Real Americans to Appoint Patriotic Sheriffs To Protect Constitution against The Libural Agenda
- Sharron Angle saves America
- Brave Hero uncovers more Libural Conspiracies
- patriotic American helps to stop the gay threat
- Brave hero stops terrorist! Libural media slanders hero!
- There is still no signs of Rightwing Extremism in 2010
- Lies: Rightwing Extremism is a myth
- The Truth about Real Americans
- GOP to recruit Extreme Real Americans
- Communist Government imprisons Real American Heroes
- Real American rallying patriots to fight the mooslim threat
- Traffic Signs: Government Overreach
- Leftwing terrorist tries to push their black libural agenda
- Real Hero to visit Gawd
- More Real Americans join glorious cause to fight Japan!
- Real American Citizen fights back the power
- Sovereign Truther fights big government
- Real American tossed out of court for being American
- Real American arrested for helping Real Americans make $$$Billions$$$!
- Now Europeans lying about rightwing extremism
- White Student wins highest honor, take that affirmative action!
- Mooslim Tyrant tries to brainwash children
- The liberal conspiracy to take over America
- More Real Americans joining the glorious cause.
- Saviors of the Constitution to visit prison for accommodations
- Muslim threat threatens Christian fate. Bomb Iran now!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
It was a wild weekend on SouthCoast's major highways.
It was a wild weekend on SouthCoast's major highways.
On Friday and Saturday nights, in a crackdown on Route 24, Interstate 195 and feeder roads, state police made 13 arrests for drunken driving and nabbed a wrong-way driver who had sparked a crash on the Braga Bridge. Police also issued nearly 300 motor vehicle citations, including some for driving more than 100 mph.
The increased patrols were part of an effort to curb distracted, impaired and aggressive driving, state police said.
State police made eight additional arrests for offenses other than drunken driving and issued nine criminal summons.
"This was a targeted enforcement due to the high traffic volume that was expected over the holiday weekend," Ken Gaetz, a state police spokesman, said Monday.
State police will periodically add additional patrols when traffic volume is expected to be high, according to Gaetz. He added that their mission is to remove dangerous drivers from the roads.
The weekend crackdown followed a three-month surge by the state police along Route 24 and I-195 that resulted in 90 drunken driving arrests and the citing of 1,448 drivers for speeding. That surge ended in September.
Error: Embedded data could not be displayed.
Troopers issued 137 citations for violations on Friday night, including drivers on Route 24 who were clocked at speeds of 90, 110 and 120 mph, state police said.
State police issued an additional 151 motor vehicle citations Saturday night, including operators who were clocked driving 102 and 96 mph on Route 24 and a driver doing 125 mph on I-195.
Gaetz said the driver of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Braga Bridge was seriously injured in a crash with another vehicle Friday night. That operator will be summonsed into court at a later date to face drunken driving charges.
The name of the injured driver wasn't available Monday from state police.


text:
A fire protection standard is a document with mandatory provisions to indicate requirements for planning, installation and maintenance of fire extinguishing systems (such as sprinkler systems, water mist -, gas – and foam systems). Overall requirements demanded from the components, such as performance, specifications and listings, is to some degree included.
Fire protection standards can be written by independent organizations (NFPA, VDS, BSi etc.), insurance associations (CEA) or State authorities (CNBOP, OKF etc.) to minimize the possibility and effects of fires.
The standards are primarily used in the country of origin, but other countries can adopt a standard in lieu of their own.
|Standard writers
|Country of origin
|NFPA, National Fire Protection Association
|VdS, Vertrauen durch Sicherheit
|BS, British Standard
|AS, Australian Standard
|UNI, Italian Standards
|CEN, European Committee For Standardisation
|EU countries
|CEPREVEN, Centro Nacional de Prevención de Danõs y Pérdidas
|APSAD, Assemblee Pleniere des Societes d'Assurances Dommages
|SAC, Standardization Administration of China
|NPB, Norms of Fire Safety
|SABS, South African Bureau of Standards
|South Africa
|SBF, Svenska Brandskyds Förening
|DBI, Dansk Brand- og sikringsteknisk Institut
European countries intend to harmonize the EN standards all over Europe, instead of having individual fire standards in each country.
A fire protection standard typically describes :
- the planning (buildings, hazard types, design criteria, water supplies, components)
- the installation (type, design characteristics, pipe-work, commissioning)
- the maintenance (user inspection and test, service and maintenance schedule)
The building owner will decide the standard to be used in collaboration with his insurance company and local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The insurance company will have a major influence as to which standard will be used to ensure proper functionality and quality, since the insurance company will try to minimize damages and loss of human lives.


text:
Main Page
From Gaia Science Alerts Working Group
Welcome to the web site of the Gaia Science Alerts Working Group!
The Science Alerts Working Group is focussed on the real-time detection of variable sources. These include supernovae, microlensing events, exploding and eruptive stars, etc.
Workshop 2011 - Gaia alerts verification and follow-up
June 2011, Cambridge
details soon
Please contact L. Wyrzykowski if you would like to attend it.
The pages can be viewed without any restrictions. In order to add or edit them you need a password. Contact the administrator for personalized account.
This wiki is maintained by Lukasz Wyrzykowski.


text:
Portable Field Recorder
The AJ-PG50E is a portable field recorder with AVC-ULTRA*1 codec and microP2 card compatibility, HDMI input/output, and data transfer over a network.
The AJ-PG50 Memory Card Recorder is compact and lightweight. It supports the AVC-ULTRA codec family*1, is equipped with two microP2 slots and a P2 card slot. Operates from either a battery pack or AC adapter. It also comes with a high-resolution QHD LCD monitor.
The AJ-PG50 provides a variety of interfaces to support the professional field operator including, HDMI input/output*5, 3G SDI input/output and others, enabling easy connection to a wide range of video and studio devices for recording and playback of video and audio content.
It also has a high-speed USB 3.0 (HOST) interface for transferring backup data to an external storage device and previewing externally stored files.*2 Network connection is possible by wired/wireless LAN*3 or 4G*4/LTE,*4 and supports many network workflow functions including FTP content and proxy streaming (rtsp only, no QoS).
The AJ-PG50 offers high speed and high quality at a reasonable cost, and flexibly and supports the most advanced AVC-ULTRA workflows.


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Both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl will be played in Miami in 2010. Down here at Dolphin Research Center, the dolphins are always up for a game. Check out our dolphins in action!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Are You Ready for some Football?
Both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl will be played in Miami in 2010. Down here at Dolphin Research Center, the dolphins are always up for a game. Check out our dolphins in action!
Posted by The DRC Family at 9:33 AM 2 comments
Labels: baby dolphins, Miami, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Keys Traditional Music Festival to Benefit DRC!
Some of America's most celebrated grassroots musical masters will be featured at the first annual Florida Keys Traditional Music Festival, January 29-31, 2010, at Sombrero Resort in Marathon! All proceeds will benefit the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) AND Dolphin Research Center!
Posted by The DRC Family at 12:07 PM 0 comments
Monday, December 21, 2009
Happy Holidays from Dolphin Research Center
From our family to yours . . .
Posted by The DRC Family at 2:37 PM 1 comments
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Looking for a Great Dolphin Gift?
No, you can't actually wrap up Kibby or another dolphin to put under your tree. (We tried. Believe it or not, this picture wasn't Photoshopped. Kibby actually posed with a box on top of him) However, there's still time to select a wonderful gift from Dolphin Research Center for any dolphin lover on your list.
You might consider giving a DRC membership, such as Adopt-a-Dolphin or Pod Pal. Each membership includes free admission all year to DRC, our bi-monthly Dolphin Society newsletter and other great perks. Your gift will help support the DRC mission, the care of our dolphins and sea lions, and our manatee rescue efforts. Visit the Membership area of our website for more information or to arrange for a gift membership online. (Electronic membership acknowledgements can be sent next business day. Other memberships must be received by December 18th so we can mail them for delivery before Christmas.)
Cyber-shopping is another popular option and we offer a wide variety of great gift ideas through the online Gift Shop. Jewelry, books, apparel, calendars, and other wonderful items will suit any budget or wish. Check out the Gift Shop today!
Happy Holidays to all.
Posted by The DRC Family at 4:18 PM 2 comments
Labels: baby dolphins, holiday gifts, memberships
Friday, December 4, 2009
Aleta's Baby's First Moments
We know that most of you could not be here at DRC for the baby's birth. We're delighted that we can now share it with you via video.
Posted by The DRC Family at 12:48 PM 14 comments
Labels: dolphin baby


text:
Latest News
Rico Alpha 9 Tactical Weapon System (2005-04-18)Stylish new tactical weapons system from RICO is rugged and a high performer. As seen used by US military personel. Constructed with a high quality polymer body and aluminum skeletal frame. Super strong 3mm poly-carbonate lens means that the flashlight lens is indestructable with any airsoft gun. Super powerful and focused beam delivers a stunning 250 lumen output, while 2 integrated LED lamps provide stealth illumination! MSRP is USD275 but our price is USD169! The Alpha 9's ruggedness and performance exceeds that of many real-steel lighting systems.
- 250 Lumen Flashlight Bulb
- 2 x White LED Navigator Lights
- Uses 3 x CR123A battery
- Water Resistant
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- High impact 3mm super-thick and clear polycarbonate lens
- Aluminum Strikehead lamp bezel housing
- Spare 250 Lumen Xenon bulbs are available for the Alpha 9 (easy replacement)
Click here to buy one now!


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LDS church pleased with BSA proposal on gays
The Mormon church says it welcomes the Boy Scouts of America's latest proposal to lift the gay ban for youth members but continue to exclude gays as adult leaders.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted a statement on its website Thursday afternoon saying it is satisfied with the proposal, which the Boy Scouts announced last week.
The church says the Scouts made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address one of the most complex and challenging issues facing society. They also say the proposal recognizes Scouting exists to benefits youth rather than adult leaders.
The Mormon church has more Scouting troops than any other religious denomination.
Boy Scouts of America plans to submit the proposal to its National Council at a meeting in Texas the week of May 20.
To read the church's full statement, go to http://goo.gl/4EmRm.


text:
The success of President Barack Obama's health care plan depends on signing up millions of uninsured Americans, and Matt Saniie knows how to find them.
Fresh out of the Obama re-election campaign "Data Cave," the 31-year-old math whiz has gone from tracking likely voters in battleground states to honing a statistical model that can predict with 99 percent accuracy whether someone has insurance.
Obama and his backers, facing a Republican move to disrupt the start of the insurance marketplaces that are at the core of the law, are adapting the techniques of his election wins. That includes cutting-edge data analysis, a heavy investment in personal canvassing and social media — and a bet that they can generate enthusiasm among young Americans.
"The Obama people are not stupid: They know how to campaign and who to go after," said Uwe Reinhardt, a health- economics professor at Princeton University in New Jersey. Because the government will offer billions of dollars in subsidies to help people buy insurance, he said, "There are enough young people with pretty low incomes that for them this is a pretty good bargain."
Instead of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency, this campaign is an all-out effort to get to 2.7 million — the number of healthy 18- to 34-year-olds that White House officials say they need to sign up when open enrollment begins on Oct. 1.
Healthy Needed
Since the law bars insurance companies from charging people with pre-existing conditions more for coverage, the plans need enough healthy participants to prevent sick people from swamping the system and sending rates soaring. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 7 million Americans will initially participate in the exchanges.
Working against the signup drive is the partisan clash over the law that has dragged on for three years since Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, which was intended to expand coverage to at least 30 million uninsured Americans.
Republican-run legislatures and governors in at least 21 states have refused funding to expand Medicaid coverage for the poor and 27 have declined to set up the insurance exchanges, leaving that job to the federal government, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. House Republicans have voted 40 times to repeal or defund all or parts of the law and have denied additional money to start the marketplaces.
Political Backlash
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, both Republicans, scuttled White House efforts to enlist professional sports leagues to publicize the program, with letters warning of a political backlash. FreedomWorks, a group tied to the Tea Party, is campaigning to discourage young people from getting insurance through the health plan, with rallies to burn "Obamacare draft cards," evoking 1960s' campus protests against the Vietnam War.
Already, the administration has delayed for a year a mandate that large businesses provide insurance to employees. Costs for the health-insurance exchanges swelled to $4.4 billion for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 combined and will reach $5.7 billion in 2014, more than double initial projections.
Another obstacle: 43 percent of Americans hold an unfavorable view of the law compared with 35 percent with a favorable view, a Kaiser foundation poll in June showed.
The White House says it isn't concerned about the impact of those obstacles on the young adults it's courting.
Ignoring Politics
"That age cohort is not paying attention to anything the Republican National Committee is saying or the Democratic National Committee is saying," said David Simas, an Obama adviser and former director of opinion research for the president's re-election who now works on the health-care marketing effort from a basement office in the White House.
The model that Saniie developed, which scores the probability that anyone is covered by insurance on a 0 to 100 percent scale, helps Planned Parenthood and other groups promoting the insurance marketplaces target their efforts.
Saniie, the son of an Iranian immigrant professor of electrical engineering, has a resume with Obama that stretches back to the Iowa caucuses five years ago. After he was engaged last year — to a fellow Obama campaign worker — the president stopped by his desk in the room that the campaign dubbed the Data Cave and offered congratulations.
Now working out of a windowless office in Washington, Saniie, with a few days stubble on his face, was outfitted on a recent day in jeans and shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, leading a team of eight data analysts for Enroll America, an independent advocacy group pushing the health plan.
First Test
He spent four months refining the statistical model, based on 32 pieces of information, culled from consumer data bases, ranging from income level to military status and voting record in midterm elections. Veterans and midterm voters are both more likely to have health coverage.
The model's first test on the ground came in a weeklong campaign in June involving telephone and face-to-face conversations with several thousand households, he said. "It predicted within a percent of what we expected," Saniie said.
Enroll America already has deployed 80 salaried field organizers to 10 states to begin campaigns on insurance signup.
"We have volunteers who maybe have a couple hours on Saturdays to have conversations," said Anne Filipic, 31, the group's president, who ran Obama's first statewide canvass in Iowa in 2007 and left a White House position to take on this mission. "The fact that we can double our efficiency or maybe more makes every aspect of our work more effective."
Enroll America will use the statistical model, combined with polls and results from its contacts with people, to customize its pitches, Filipic said. The Obama campaign used the technique to great effect in mobilizing voters in the battleground states for the re-election, winning eight of the nine contested states.
Skeptical Scalia
The linchpin of the strategy is a calculation that the cost of health insurance is what discourages young people from buying coverage, not the belief that they don't need it. The view that young people choose to forgo coverage because they can do without it is so widespread that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia defended it as a rational choice during court arguments on the law, which the court upheld last year.
Young people are "going to buy insurance later," Scalia said. "They're young and need the money now."
Simas disagrees, citing a 2011 poll by the research group Demos finding that among those younger than 35 only 1 in 10 uninsured women and 2 in 10 uninsured men believe they don't need health coverage. The rest respond with a reason related to cost.
Affordable Care
Polling for Enroll America last year found the portion of uninsured Americans who said they considered the health-care plan premiums "affordable" rose to 41 percent from 25 percent when told how much of a discount on the regular price they received from the tax subsidies.
The law offers subsidies to lower the insurance cost for people making up to four times the federal poverty level. Based on 2013 data, that means a discount on ordinary insurance rates for individuals with incomes up to $45,960. A single, 25-year- old nonsmoker who makes $20,000 a year can enroll in a basic insurance plan for less than $42 per month because of a $2,009 annual subsidy, according to Kaiser.
California and New York are among the states that have made the most progress in setting up their exchanges, having already announced insurance premiums.
The focus on the young is shaping the marketing. One group, the Young Invincibles, is testing a smartphone application that assists with enrollment. It's planning signup campaigns at community colleges, where students are less likely to be covered by parents' insurance than at four-year schools.
Wonder Moms
Another group, MomsRising, responding to research indicating mothers are especially influential on young adults' health-care decisions, is recruiting a "Wellness Wonder Team" of mothers to promote the insurance plan among peers.
The White House, hoping for catchy web videos and Internet posts, hosted celebrities such as television star Amy Poehler and production executives from the comedy website "Funny or Die" to discuss ways to reach young adults.
Planned Parenthood, which sees almost 3 million patients a year, is training staff to expand enrollment. It's also gearing up for a door-to-door campaign to reach 1 million people between 18 and 44, said Rachel Fleischer, a spokeswoman.
For Simas, the key is that in most states, less than one- third of uninsured young people need to sign up for the government to meet its first-year goals. At the same time, the health plan's subsidies disproportionately benefit younger adults since they are just beginning their work lives and generally have lower earnings, he added.
"If you get at this — which is why the subsidies are so important — you crack the code," he said.
With assistance from Alex Wayne in Washington. Editors: Mark McQuillan, Steven Komarow
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Merry Christmas everyone!!! Okay, I know I'm one day late in my Christmas wishes but it's been a freakin' BUSY weekend. I'll blog about it soon. Anyway, back to the world of movie madness, here's an update on 'Hellboy'. Remember him? Back in 2004, there was a movie by Guillermo Del Toro starring Ron Perlman as Hellboy, a bad-ass looking red demon (with horns detached) that was adopted by the FBI to fight supernatural crimes. Well, that movie did not completely suck in my opinion as there were a few scenes in there that was quite memorable (especially scenes with the Abe Sapien, the grayish looking alien but in fact he is a mer-man).
Here's the link to the trailer for 'Hellboy 2'. Looks kinda cool, especially with baddies.
Anyway, that movie made US$ 60 million in box-office receipts in America, so Hollywood being Hollywood, a sequel is well on its way. Aptly titled 'Hellboy 2: The Golden Army', it features a whole new adventure with the same main players such as Ron Perlman as Hellboy and direction by Guillermo Del Toro (also directed Pan's Labyrinth, a must-watch for the fantasy genre with a dark twist). The story is written by Del Toro and Mike Mignola (the original creator), so expect a story of some weight. Here's a bunch of nice-looking photos of Hellboy 2, and an official trailer to wet your appetite. The movie is scheduled for release in July, 2008.
Here's the link to the trailer for 'Hellboy 2'. Looks kinda cool, especially with baddies.


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The Ems Cycle Route follows the delightful river Ems from its headwaters at the foot of the Teutoburg Forest to the North Sea coast.
Both the river and the cycle route meander through the Paderborner Land and Gütersloher Land, the first of five holiday regions covered by this route. The scenery is dominated by sandy dunes, pine forests and wetlands, as well as small medieval towns. Next, the route continues through the Ems riverbank meadows and the Münsterland region with its fairytale moated castles. After the moors and heathland in the southern Emsland, things get decidedly maritime with harbours, locks and weirs. Your journey ends near Emden, where the river flows into the North Sea.
Terrain: essentially level countryside. The paths are on asphalt most of the way and traverse two federal states, largely away from busy roads, but not always free of traffic.
Scenery: the route hugs the banks of the Ems river all the way from the headwaters on the edge of the Teutoburg Forest to its North Sea estuary near Emden. Along the way it crosses five holiday regions with their heaths, moors, riverside meadows, fenland and areas of reclaimed land.
Két hasznos billentyűkombináció a böngészőn belüli zoomoláshoz:
Nagyítás: +
Kicsinyítés: +
További segítséget az alábbi ikonra kattintva kaphat:


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A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped mind is despised.
Proverbs 8:12
Here is an immediate return to the kind of life we are leading. Those who make their life a career to hurt others receive general contempt and when they try to fall in favor with others they never get a drop of sympathy. By contrast, to those who behave wisely there is an immediate reward of praise from the people. We are talking about genuine praise, popular gratitude for living an irreproachable life and for showing love and justice in all things that are undertaken. Many wicked men think they are doing very well because they confuse flattery with praise. They are the subject of deception on the part of those who stick to them in the interests of making a profit and at the same time they deceive themselves because they are quite desperate to receive an affection they never won and never will earn for they do everything wrong. Flattery is nothing but a lie dressed to pose as a compliment.
Seek, then, to live a life based on the heavenly wisdom that comes from God the Father, wisdom that grant us long life, which is more profitable than gold and silver, which is more valuable than rubies, which gives us honor, peace and joy. Want to enjoy this wisdom? She is at your fingertips. Just ask God and he will give it to you, for God gives generously to all without finding fault. In front of you there is a bifurcation: one road leads you down a path of justice that will bring you praise, the other road will take you down the path of evil which can only bring you pain and contempt. Which of the two roads will you choose? Look up to Jesus Christ, stick with him and he will help you stay faithful and on the right track. Only to God be the glory!


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Miley Cyrus says that a photo that surfaced of her smoking pot is not real.
"I don't have an Instagram," Cyrus clarified on Twitter.
Check out child stars gone bad!
On Tuesday, someone with the Instagram account mileyxxcyrus posted this photo of a blonde that looks like the 20-year-old, but whose face is covered with a cloud of smoke. "High as f---," the caption read.
This isn't the first time Cyrus has been associated with marijuana. In November 2011, a video filmed at her 19th birthday showed Cyrus being presented with a Bob Marley birthday cake. "You know you're a stoner when your friends make you a Bob Marley cake. You know you smoke way too much f---ing weed," she said in the video.


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I'm looking at Oscar Fraas's Vor der Sündfluth! Eine Geschichte der Urwelt (1866)—that's Before the Deluge! A History of the Ancient World—because, ultimately, I tend to be suspicious. Seeing a quotation in William A. Williams's The Evolution of Man Scientifically Disproved (1925) from "a famous paleontologist" identified only as "Dr. Traas," I set about the task of searching for its source, expecting to find mischief, or at least carelessness, afoot. I wasn't disappointed: Dr. Traas turns out to be Dr. Fraas, with an F rather than a T (see part 1), and in fact to be Oscar Fraas (1824–1897), the curator of the department of mineralogy and paleontology at the Royal Württemberg museum of natural history in Stuttgart (see part 2). Vor der Sündfluth! was intended as a popularization of contemporary geology, which Fraas (a former pastor) understood to be consistent with the history of creation in scripture. "Fraas's vision of the deep past," explains M. J. S. Rudwick in his Scenes from Deep Time (1995), "is explicitly framed in terms of the divine purpose embodied in the ascent of life toward Man." Beyond that I don't intend to go, in part because my German is not good and in part because the book is set in a blackletter font, making it even harder to read.
It was, of course, highly misleading for creationist writers of the 1920s—such as William A. Williams, T. T. Martin, Theodore Graebner, and William Bell Riley—to quote the passage from Fraas as though he were on the leading edge of paleontological opinion. After all, Fraas was writing for a popular audience in 1866, just seven years after the publication of Darwin's Origin and just as Darwin's ideas were beginning to influence paleontology. It was perhaps a little misleading for Karl Ernst von Baer to quote the passage from Fraas in his "Über Darwins Lehre" (1876), although since he describes the remark as "etwas derb"—a little rough, a bit uncouth, a tad strong?—it's unclear how much weight it was supposed to carry. Certainly von Baer would have welcomed paleontological support for his anti-Darwinian view that species cannot evolve beyond the general limits of the types to which they belong, but appealing generally to Fraas's lifetime of study of prehistoric fauna not having convinced him of evolution, as von Baer did in "Über Darwins Lehre," is not especially persuasive—especially considering that Fraas was only forty-one when Vor der Sündfluth! was published.
The link between the Germanophone Fraas and von Baer and the Anglophone creationists was, again, Elie de Cyon (1843–1912)—born Ilya Fadeyevich Tsion, also known as Elias von Cyon—who quoted Fraas in his Dieu et Science (1910). De Cyon turns out to be a fascinating, if unappealing, character in his own right. In The American Scholar in 1986, George F. Kennan—yes, that George F. Kennan—describes him as having two identities: as "a young physiologist of startling brilliance and promise" but also as "a different figure: a shadowy one…appearing in a whole series of guises: journalist, secret agent, publicist, propagandist for a Franco-Russian alliance and historian of the alliance finally dying in Paris in 1912 in poverty and neglect." If that weren't enough, it's also alleged that de Cyon's writings formed the basis for the anti-Semitic conspiracy theory in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. In addition to other evidence connecting de Cyon to the forgery, Frank Fox observes in his "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the Shadow World of Elie de Cyon" (1997), "criticisms in the Protocols of Darwinism echo ideas long held by [de] Cyon, whose opposition to the evolution theory was well known."
I'm not going to try to unravel the tangle of de Cyon's life here, and my French is not much better than my German, so I'm disinclined even to make a study of Dieu et Science to understand de Cyon's position on evolution. Instead, let me end on a happier—if ironic—note. Oscar Fraas may have been skeptical about human descent from a "simian" species; he may indeed have been skeptical about any macroevolutionary transition at all. Today, of course, there are excellent examples of macroevolution documented in the fossil record. Among them, as J. G. M. Thewissen and his colleagues explain in a marvelous review published in Evolution: Education and Outreach in 2009, are the cetaceans, where the transition from terrestrial to aquatic forms of whale is exquisitely documented. One of the earliest discovered animals in the transition is Protocetus atavus, found in forty-five-million-year-old limestone deposits in modern-day Egypt in the first decade of the twentieth century. (Brian Switek discussed Protocetus for Wired in 2011.) And the paleontologist who described it, was, as it happens, Oscar Fraas's son, Eberhard Fraas (above, 1862–1915).


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Sean Scully: Wall of Light
Sean Scully
Wall of Light Desert Night, 1999
Oil on canvas
108 x 132 inches
Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Museum Purchase
Sean Scully is one of the most admired painters working today. He works and exhibits throughout the world, with active studios in the United States, Spain, and Germany. Scully's Wall of Light series is his most important series to date.
Inspired by a trip to Mexico more than twenty years ago, the Wall of Light series builds from the artist's memory of light and shadow playing on ancient Mayan ruins. Scully's exploration of surface texture and abstract forms in these works evokes a range of emotional and narrative themes. Featuring some forty paintings and a selection of pastels and watercolors, the exhibition allows for a fresh consideration of this important artist and an appreciation for his process of developing themes over many years.
Michael Auping, the Modern Art Museum's chief curator, who organized an early exhibition of the Wall of Light paintings in Mexico and South America in 2001, remarks, "The Wall of Light paintings are a remarkable group of works. Seen together, they do not appear 'abstract' in the normal sense of the term, but are very literal and visceral presences in which the artist has achieved a precise balance between emotion, color, weight, light, and touch. These are paintings that can be looked into and at for a long time."
Wall of Light consists of oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, and aquatints. The series, which Scully continues to expand, stems from watercolors that he made during 1983 and 1984 on trips to the Yucatán. While there, he became fascinated with how the surfaces of the Mayan stone walls, animated by light, seemed to reflect the passage of time. He describes the Maya as a "culture of walls and light." It was Scully's recollection of the spectacular light on those ancient walls in Mexico—so different from the fleeting, brooding light he grew up with in London—that most affected this new series. In 1998, after additional trips to Mexico and almost twenty years after his initial trip, he revisited his original watercolors and began the current series, which now consists of more than two hundred works, including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's Wall of Light Desert Night, 1999.
Sean Scully was born in postwar Dublin and raised in a working-class district of South London. At age fifteen, he apprenticed as a typesetter at a commercial printing shop and has retained a love of printmaking ever since. At age twenty, he decided to commit to his art—then predominantly figurative paintings—and enrolled at Croydon College of Art, later studying at Newcastle University. During his studies, he discovered the paintings of Mark Rothko and Bridget Riley and began working in abstraction. His technically flawless paintings from this period consist of complicated grid systems of intersecting bands and lines, pulsing with a richly dense optical field. On a visit to Morocco in 1969, he was deeply impressed by the stripes and colors of local fabrics as well as the intense southern light, and his work has retained these influences ever since.
Scully left England for the United States in 1972 to pursue a yearlong graduate fellowship at Harvard. He returned to the States in 1975 and settled in New York, where he began creating minimal, monochromatic paintings with seamless surfaces that made the painter's touch practically invisible. In the early 1980s, he began to alter this approach, reintroducing color, space, and brushstroke into his work and experimenting with composition and structure. By the mid-1980s, Scully had become internationally recognized. The Museum of Modern Art included his work in An International Survey of Recent Painting and Sculpture (1984). The Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh organized the first major solo exhibition of his work in America in 1985, which traveled to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Four years later, Scully also had a major solo exhibition in Europe, which originated at the Whitechapel Art Gallery, London, and traveled to Madrid and Munich.
Sean Scully
Wall of Light Desert Night, 1999
Oil on canvas
108 x 132 inches
Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Museum Purchase


text:
Tshepo Tamajobe
Mozilla Reps, Regional Coordinator, TechSpeaker, Developer
Creative, novel and innovative thinker with good leadership and team work. Excellent listening skills make perfection for a visionary lad of my caliber.
Tagsopen badges, sumo, hive, fsa, mdn, mozilla africa, mozilla botswana, python, apps, mobile, air mozilla
Вміння.c++, .java, .javascript, advertising, basic php, business management, database admin, e-marketing, information system strategic planning, mysql, vb, web design + development
МовиАнглійська, Тсвана
Зовнішні облікові записи
- Facebook: public/Tshepo-Tamajobe
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tshepo-tamajobe/8b/27b/a22
- MDN: Tshepo_Tamajobe
- Mozilla Support: Wing-man
- Twitter: tjt_maun
- Mozilla Webmaker: tshepzilla
Lebron Brian Ssekalegga
Tshepo has been an active Mozillian in the Mozilla project. starting with the FSA program where he has been the driving force in developing the FSA program in Botswana and mentoring new FSA across the African continent. His dedication has recently earned him the Regional Ambassador Lead- Africa position. He leads various other Mozillla contributory pathways like SUMO, MDN and L10N.
KOUADIO M'man Ange Manuela
Tamajobe is an active FSA in Botswana who took contact with me it there's little to help build a community in Botswana womoz;He manages a small community of contributors for two years now. This is an excellent contributor with skills essential for Mozilla. Some links to contributions: Badges: https://badges.mozilla.org/en-US/profiles/profile/tamajobetshepo Localization: http://mozilla.locamotion.org/user/TshepoTamajobe/ Mozilla Support: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/user/Wing-man
Alex Johnson
Tshepo is a Student Ambassador who has helped translate many parts of Mozilla into Tswana. And continues to raise awareness to the open web throughout social media. Thank you!


text:
R by RANIA XEFTERI THE MYSTERY OF TROY NECKLACE - 18K Gold Plated
- $385.00$308.00
R by RANIA XEFTERI THE MYSTERY OF TROY NECKLACE - 18K Gold Plated
- $385.00$308.00
Shipping + Returns
- This item is final sale.
- Shipping from Ozon Boutique (Athens, Greece) to
- Estimated delivery dates (when provided) are for orders placed today considering typical order processing and shipping times to . However, weather and other unforeseen circumstances may occasionally cause delays.
- Full Shipping Policy Full Returns Policy
|🌎 Intl. Air
|6-10 business days
THE BRITISH MUSEUM COLLECTION - Sterling Silver 925 - 18K Gold Plated R by Rania Xefteri
Something on your mind? Spill! We're here to help!
The Boutique
Initially beginning as just an art and style magazine, Ozon has since evolved into a full fashion boutique with a curated selection of modern, edgy designers from around the world. Stocking everything from menswear and womenswear, to unisex pieces, accessories, bags, and pet goods, Ozon's inventory aims to run the gamut of anything that inspires, provokes, or excites the eye.


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Happy almost 2014! I am wishing everyone well ahead of time because lord only knows what kind of state we'll be in on January 1st. Every year pre-Little Man, this would've meant that we'd be too busy sleeping in and reminiscing about the fantastic dinner and treats late into the night but this year, it means we may or may not be knee deep in paper towels and the constant refrain of, "Tell Mamma or Babba when you have to go, okay?"
See, the Hubster and I thought this week off of work between Christmas and New Year's Day would be the perfect time to potty train Little Man. 'Cause we're smart like that. We optimistically embarked on an intensive three-day plan. I won't get in to the gory details, this being a food blog and all, but suffice it to say, we're finishing off Day 3 and there's no end in sight. Little Man is holding his own and in this war of attrition, we're clearly on the losing end. The Hubster and I have eaten more M&Ms than Little Man from the reward jar and it's entirely possible that come New Year's Eve, we will still be engaged in the same, messy standoff.
Luckily, we were smart enough to factor this little project in when making our New Year's Eve plans. Which is to say we didn't make any grand plans at all. We turned down the invite from a friend and his band playing at a too cool for school hipster bar downtown. We also politely declined the potluck soiree with our can't-believe-we're-all-parent friends. Oh, and we were a firm no on the Evite for the progressive dinner party organized by our neighbor (though I am a bit bummed to be missing the bunco). I think my exact reaction was, "You want me to pick up the millions of toys littering our house for one course?" Instead, we'll be hanging out in our jammies. Not our best pairs, mind you. We're well aware that we'll be involved in lots of cleanup.
The party will start somewhere around 4 p.m. when everyone's patience is a bit worn and spirits are running low. I'll be serving a snappy mix of orange juice and sparkling water in plastic flutes to the cleanup crew (also known as me and the Hubster) and plenty of juice boxes to the younger guests. No wait, just one, very important, mini tyrant of a guest. And I'll make a bunch of little bites for us to grab on the go because there's no sitting down on this job.
I know for sure that I'll be making these Spinach and Caramelized Onion Canapés. Perfectly cheesy little bites, filled with creamy spinach and caramelized onions. I plan to serve them on little homemade buttery crackers but given our predicament, homemade crackers might turn into Ritz. They really are a great bite for any soirée. Make them ahead of time, go curl your hair, top 'em with a bit of parmesan and broil them right before your snazzy guests ring your doorbell and you have the perfect fuel for your New Year's Eve of revelry. Or in our case, a late afternoon of coaxing, cheering, and cleanup.
Happy early 2014, y'all! Have a great New Year's Eve, take lots of silly pictures, be safe, and most importantly, tell Mamma or Babba if you have to go!
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. baby spinach, rinsed
1 onion, thinly sliced
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup of shaved sharp cheese blend
Parmesan slivers for topping
Salt and Pepper
Heat large pot with about 2 teaspoons of oil. When oil is hot, add onions and cook on low and slow heat until caramelized. In the meantime, in a separate pot, heat 1 teaspoon of oil, and cook garlic until golden. Add spinach and cook on low heat until spinach is wilted. Allow both caramelized onions and cooked spinach to cool. In a mixing bowl, mix cream cheese, caramelized onions, spinach, and shaved cheese blend (I'm partial to the parmesan, romano, and pecorino blend sold at Trader's Joe's but feel free to shave up your own blend if you have a well stocked cheese drawer). Season with salt and pepper.
Dollop a 1 tablespoon serving of the cheesy spinach mixture on homemade butter crackers made using a 1 1/2 inch circular cookie cutter and the dough from this recipe for 5 minute pot pie crust. Top with a thin sliver of parmesan and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and forms a golden crust.


text: Artist: Canibus Album: Mind Control Song: 33 3's Typed by: firstname.lastname@example.com * * send corrections to the typist [Intro, imitating the owl from the "Tootsie Pop" commercials] One ... two ... three... (Chomping sound) ... three!! [Canibus] Yo, in linear terms, my thirty-three degree, and a Words will give you thirty-third degree burns First I write thirty-three lines to a verse About how I created the Earth out of thirty-three quirks Thirty-three of my peers never thought it would work For thirty-three days, I started my relentless research And I figured, if Jigga could do, twenty-two two's As an mc, then I could do, thirty-three three's Suddenly it occurred, at three-thirty, on March third It came to me like God's word I started to load my thirty-three caliber Mossberg Went to the top of the Empire State, on thirty-third Thirty-three gunshots was heard Thirty-three pedestrians lay wounded or dead, on the curb Thirty-three squad cars rushed to the scene As soon as they heard some mad-man had gone berserk I demanded thirty-three million Or I was going to kill thirty-three of the women and children in the building I gave them thirty-three minutes to respond Then I proceeded to arm, a backpack nuclear bomb I set the timer for three hours, and three minutes long Told them not to try nothing funny or I'd kill them all They still never responded Until I saw thirty-three of the S.W.A.T. team jump out of three helicopters I told them for the third and final time If they crossed the line again, I'd take, thirty-three lives Three of the hostages started crying Three of them started wilding, and convinced, three more to start an uprising Three of them stood to their feet and started freestyling I didn't know what to do, so I started rhyming I tried to kick three-hundred bars But I got picked off by a sniper from thirty-three yards The bullet hit me but it got lodged, and ricocheted off Three organs three inches away from my heart My name went down in history, as the illest MC Rewind it and count it, thirty-three threes


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JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) Ed Townsel scored 25 points, including five 3-pointers, on Saturday night to help Arkansas State cruise to their fourth straight victory, 75-61 over Western Kentucky.
Townsel was 10 of 19 overall, including 5 of 10 from behind the arc. Brandon Peterson added 14 points and Trey Finn had 13 for the Red Wolves (10-5, 4-2 Sun Belt), who improved to 7-1 at home.
Aleksejs Rostov led the Hilltoppers (10-7, 4-2) with 17 points, including five 3-pointers of his own, off the bench. One of Rostov's 3s came with 9 seconds left in the first half and gave Western Kentucky a 27-23 halftime lead. But Arkansas State went on a 13-3 run early in the second half to take the lead for good and was never seriously threatened again.
The Hilltoppers still hold a 29-13 lead in the all-time series between the teams, dating to the 1947-48 season.


text: President Obama had a very successful trip to the Mideast. Is anybody even watching? Or do we have to start a war before anybody feels like we are accomplishing something? And what about the snakes who claimed, without one ounce of evidence, that Obama was "sympathetic" to Islamic extremists--do they find evidence for their fantasies in this trip? Or does it bore them because they don't want to see evidence of Obama's pragmatism, moderation--and, above all, plain old competence?


text:
Wendy Williams
Powerhouse: TV V80
Powerhouse: TV V80
Photography: Jason Kim
Title of production: The Wendy Williams Show (Talk WW Production Inc.)
How long have you been in the business?
WENDY WILLIAMS I've been in TV approximately seven years. For a few years during my radio show I had a special on VH1, and now The Wendy Williams Show is in our fourth season. Before, I was involved with radio for 23 years.
How many episodes have you done?
WW Around 515. We celebrated our 500th show in May.
Who have been some of your favorite guests?
WW It's all been a wonderland for me. A woman from New Jersey, I never thought I would have a talk show! I've loved everyone from Elmo and Big Bird to Simon Cowell, Dianne Carroll, Patti LaBelle, Paris Hilton…I enjoy it every day! We've had performances from Justin Bieber and Nas, couch talk with Whoopi Goldberg and Kelly Ripa (my daytime girlfriends), Piers Morgan, Larry King, James Earl Jones…from reality stars to politicians, we have an eclectic mix of guests.
What makes you a great host?
WW All my life I've been a conduit for various people. Growing up I always had an unexpected friendship circle. People realize when they come on our show that my audience and my cohosts are tastemakers, they are the ones buying products.
What do you love most about the medium of television?
WW I love that I don't have to evoke my emotions through my voice. In radio, inflection and pronunciation are so important, because radio is a theater of the mind. Now I'm able to wave my hands like a true Jersey girl! I can awkwardly adjust my clothes, pull at my hair, and many times there are situations on our show where it may be too much for words and I just have to look at the camera and dim my eyes or purse my lips and people get it.
Whose opinions do you trust most when it comes to booking guests and coming up with ideas for the show?
WW My executive producers David Perler and Kevin Hunter. Kevin is also my manager and my husband. We've been married for 14 years. David I trust as well. David knows talk in and out, he's been on the Rosie circuit, the George Lopez circuit, he's been around. He's also smart and incisive, and I need that.
What goes into a single episode? Take us from conception to airtime.
WW A single episode is shot live out of New York at 10 am every weekday morning. One episode is 44 minutes of programming, the other 16 is commercials. Every day I have a meeting with all my producers, from hot topics to segment producers, if there's a fashion show there's a producer for that also, and everyday we have a phone conference in the afternoons. They chock me full of DVDs and TV schedules, because I have my favorites and things that I watch to prepare for the show. My staff works tirelessly everyday, until six at night, and then we are constantly back and forth on the telephone. My cell phone is always charged up and ready to have conversations. I've done things like pull down a chair from the lawn department at Target or in Home Depot and sit down and literally have a full-blown conversation in the middle of a store!
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job, and what are the most difficult?
WW My son is 12, he's part of a new generation. The most rewarding is when he is proud, and he says, "Mommy you were good for our people." I think, Oh my gosh, thank you! My parents will call me up—they get the show in Miami. They'll say, "Wendy, we loved today's show. We had no idea who Amanda Bynes was, and WOW. Thank you for breaking it down." When I'm out in public I can't hide, I'm 5' 11". People come up and say we love your show, and they are of all ages, colors, religious backgrounds, and beliefs. That right there is the holy grail. The most difficult is trying to make everyone happy while trying to make me happy. I don't have time! I get it, you want a hug, you feel like you know me. But honestly, I gotta go! It's more difficult being a real person who happens to be on TV than being a celebrity known for being a movie star and playing a character.
Was there anyone who nurtured you in the beginning?
WW Me. I was born into a working-class family in New Jersey, and my mom and dad dreamed big within the confines of what they knew. They would have loved me to become a doctor, a lawyer, or a professor on the college level. They didn't know the bigger dream, because that's not what the culture was. I wanted to be in media, but there were no relatives or family friends, there was nothing. I would fantasize and apply for jobs, but it was a fantasy. My parents' sacrifice for me is my biggest inspiration—initially I wanted to pay my parents back, in terms of progress and success.
Do you have any role models within the industry who you've looked up to?
WW There is no one person, but there are bits and pieces of people that I really do love. Oprah is obviously the queen. She really laid down a body of work that will never be overlooked. I also have to interject Diane Carroll, who was the first black woman to lead a dramedy on TV. I can only imagine the years of interesting chat she must have heard to get her career to where it was. I also admire Goldie Hawn. There is something to be said for not getting married and keeping it respectful. We are both 20 years younger in spirit than we are in age, and I love that about her! She's still sexy!
What's your personal motto?
WW It is what it is. When it all comes down to it, I love my life. It's so random and weird.


text:
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
My Presidential Pardons
-- I pardon Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt for continuing to breed, produce gorgeous spawn, adopt needy children, maintain a perfect marriage, save New Orleans, save the WORLD - all the while making the rest of us feel like shitpiles. If it weren't for those last 2 things, the whole world would be forced to despise you with the venom of a thousand jellyfish stings. Do jellyfish have venom? Details. I pardon thees.
-- I pardon my dog, Wylie, for pissing on both our living room and master bedroom carpets to such an extent during his first year here at the new casa, that we were forced to spend thousands to replace his perceived indoor yard with new floors this year. Because of this, we can never properly amortize the cost of this dog - he has now become priceless in both the worst and best ways. We're giving him a tour of the pound later this week.
-- I pardon my PMS, every frickin' month, for jacking my mood around to the point where I kinda want to rip my skin open and crawl out of the person I've suddenly become - I mean, who is the capital B with the fuming pores? And does she need a colonic irrigation or what is her problem? She barely deserves a pardon.
-- I pardon the Winter of My Discontent, for being 4 years long; sayonara old friend and may the past stay in the past. And if not, I must introduce you to my middle digit.
-- I pardon the planet Pluto, for making us think it was a planet all this time. And, for making all the Moms out there now have to explain to their kids what-the-deal-with-Pluto-is. Who has time for that?
-- I pardon George Bush for _____ and _____ and _____ and _____ and _____ ...
-- I pardon the sun for not shining on February 17th of this year. The excuse it had? Pick one.
-- I pardon Powerball for cheating me out of my inheritance, every Wednesday and Saturday.
-- I pardon the South of France for being halfway across the world from me. Now, that's just plain rude.
-- I pardon that cloud from the other day that wouldn't form into the cute shape that I thought would serve it best. I know! Could I BE any more generous here? Benevolence incarnate.
-- I pardon Tony for all those times that he was all "uh huh, uh huh, yeah, yeah" while not hearing a dang syllable coming out of my pie hole - because he has yet to fully understand all he agreed to during those knock-off, imitation conversations. Ann 12, Tony 0.
I feel cleansed, purified. I think I understand why the ruler of the free world digs the Pardonez Vous - it's just good clean fun. I pardon thee. I pardon thou. I'm all about forgiveness, but this pardon thing? It's like forgiveness with a redbull-vodka and a few drips of absinthe. Beat that with a stick.
Go on...pardon something...
27 comments:
- Clumbsy Cookie said...
I pardon food for calling my name to eat it.
I pardon men, for being the way they are. It's not their fault, it's their mother's fault.
I pardon men's mothers for raising such creatures. It's not their fault, it's the food...
See, it all comes down to food after all...
I admire you Ann for forgiving that cloud! I still have a lot to learn before having such a grandness of spirit! Thanks for inspiring me, but until then... I'll just keep eating...
- June 19, 2008 at 7:13 AM
I'm at work, so not much time to comment. But this was such a great way to begin my day. I will be considering that which I might pardon as I proceed through my day. I don't know if I can pardon Brangelina for spawning though.
- June 19, 2008 at 7:45 AM
- YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...
I pardon my dog Samantha for eating 3 $100 bills from the table while we weren't watching.
I pardon the sun for not shining right now.
I pardon my husband for all the "what's for dinner" episodes.
You are so funny Ann. :-)
- June 19, 2008 at 8:17 AM
I go along with everything except your Pardon for GWB, the Boy King. I hate that man with the white heat of a thousand suns, and Pardon You will never escape my lips in his presence. BTW, 215 days left.
- June 19, 2008 at 10:08 AM
- grace said...
i pardon you, oh master of sarcasm, for making me laugh out loud at work and drawing evil glares from my co-workers. you are totally to blame, as it was through no fault of my own. :)
- June 19, 2008 at 12:31 PM
I pardon my husband for being a total pain in my ass last night. I think it was a full moon. And I think you're right on the inner bitch coming out.
- June 19, 2008 at 12:39 PM
- Sugar Jones said...
I pardon the last vestiges of muffin top that refuse to jump off like the rest of the flab. I pardon the kids for the stretch marks. I pardon my friend R for being so much better than everyone else and then falling flat on her face... and I hope she pardons me back for posting that... And pardone moi, my sweet little children for everytime that I use the word Jackass when referring to your father. Woopsy!
- June 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I pardon my dog as well, but for pooping on my WHITE leather bag that I had plopped on the floor. Make that my white leather PRICEY bag. Why do I buy summer colors, why?
- June 19, 2008 at 12:54 PM
I pardon abercrombie and fitch for having those suggestive pictures the size of a house of half naked men giving me the, "You could totally be gay for me" look, and making me question everything I thought to be true.
I pardon myself for typing the above pardon.
- June 19, 2008 at 1:30 PM
aww ann u made my day with this post. ;) lemme say in my best, most posh French accent - SUPERB!
let's see....
- i pardon A&F for their fucking hypocritical work ethics and gorgeous clothes tagged with ridiculous prices
- i pardon materialism, alcoholism and rude shopaholics
- i pardon the English weather for being so goddamn depressing about 85% of the time, but which (God bless England) induces the perfect melancholia and pensiveness that inspires literary sparks in me
- i pardon overweight baggage charges. Women don't travel light, alright? So don't f-ing charge me.
this is starting to get fun, but i can feel the tiny hairs on my neck starting to rise. so before i get any angstier...fantastic post ann!! i await more of your wonderful writings and food action.
- June 19, 2008 at 2:48 PM
- Lisa said...
LOL - this is great!
I pardon the caipirinha for being so dang seductive and leaving me to feel like poop in the morning!
I pardon myself for being seduced, more than once. . . .
I pardon Italy for being 6,000 miles and two airplane rides away.
I pardon summer for not yet having arrived in Seattle, thereby necessitating resort to the aforementioned caipi's.
Finally, I pardon all of the idiot bicycles, pedestrians, and automobiles out there who think that their right to the road is supreme over all others.
Yep, benevolence incarnate indeed!!
- June 19, 2008 at 3:57 PM
- Jennifer S said...
Yeah, I'm with you on all of them except for the GWB pardon.
This was such a great post. I'm not much in the pardoning mood today, but I'll work on it!
Clever girl.
- June 19, 2008 at 4:18 PM
- Ann said...
Clumbsy - LMAO - it ALL comes down to FOOD, doesn't it? Damn. You're good.
Sarah - I know, the Brangelina was such a gimme, yes?
YD - NO WAY!! The dog ate $300? Wow. She has good...taste?
Standing Still - I KNEW that GWB would just not play with you, just knew. :)
Grace - oops. Tell your coworkers it was prescribed by your doctor, the laughter thing. Works every time.
Kelsey - it was the full moon, girl. Everyone was a bitch yesterday - men, woman, dogs, worms - ALL.
Sugar - love those! Especially the Jackass.
Morton - LOVE your honesty, what a great pardon and then a self pardon. Never too late. Shit huh?
Diva - you clever little tart you. Just love it all. Here in the desert, where it's sunny ALL the time - I do treasure those England-y days...
Lisa - love these! How dare Italy, I mean really? Why? And, do you think Seattle is just going to go ahead and SKIP summer this year or what? GEEZE!
Jennifer - I don't know if it's clever, but it was fun. And, I hear you on the GWB, which is why I couldn't think of a darn thing to put in there...or...why they ran into infinity...the list would be too long. Go Obama! Woot!
- June 19, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I pardon gravity for pulling my butt in the wrong direction.
- June 19, 2008 at 6:37 PM
- NV said...
LOVE this post and all the comments! Cracked me up this morning. Thanks.
I pardon genetics for the cruel task of slowly transforming me into my mother.
I pardon that frigging white horse for dying and perpetually keeping Prince Charming from arriving on the scene.
I pardon the randomness of Powerball for never selecting the numbers on my ticket.
I pardon fate for making me a woman, thereby requiring me to work harder for less money.
- June 19, 2008 at 8:14 PM
- hungryandfrozen said...
I've never heard of a Presidential Pardon in my life, but am totally loving this :) hilarious stuff.
I'm far too mean and grudgy to pardon anyone. Wait - I do pardon my English lecturer who I am in total awe of and long to impress, for saying my essay was "disappointing" (before lighting a cigarette).
- June 19, 2008 at 10:29 PM
- YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...
Yes, she ate $100!!! She is one expensive dog that's for sure.
- June 20, 2008 at 9:04 AM
I pardon myself for being so irritated with work that I finally, and mistakenly, used the word *fuck* in a meeting. Felt good at the time. Co-workers loved it, boss did not.
- June 20, 2008 at 9:47 AM
i pardon myself for kissing instead of holding back.
- June 20, 2008 at 2:39 PM
- Ann said...
Melissa - ah, yes - that is so benevolent of you to pardon gravity. I don't know if I have such largesse of spirit.
NV - Love 'em! Powerball is stealing your inheritance as well I see.
Rebecca - oops. SO wish I could've been at that meeting.
Morton - Ah yes, I think we've all been there.
- June 21, 2008 at 11:04 AM
No pardons here... nope. I need all the pardoning, thanks. One person I really can't pardon: you for living so dang far away. Why, why, why? Who else would understand my overwhelming NEED to make fun of strangers with fairy godmother blue eyeshadow and stripper shoes or grown men who wear t-shirts with stupid things written on them like, "In case of fire, pull hose."
Who, I ask?
No, my dear minxy friend, you are NOT pardoned. :)
- June 21, 2008 at 12:33 PM
this was great for my first time visit to ur blog. my list would be way too long to get started. but three that come to mind:
I pardon Haagen-Daz for producing the best damn green tea ice-cream ever to enter my mouth, an entire pint of which i just crushed at 2:30 am.
I still pardon HD for forcing me to inevitably get up at noon tomorrow and walk 6 miles just to get my hips back into pre 2:30 shape and form.
I pardon Port for getting me to the point where I woke up the next morning asking "did you take advantage of me"?
- June 21, 2008 at 11:45 PM
- Manager Mom said...
I pardon my mother in law, for being kind of nutty. The older I get, the more I understand bringing the crazy.
- June 23, 2008 at 3:23 AM
- Jenn @ Juggling Life said...
I have to echo Standing Still and Jennifer H. Not. Going. To. Pardon. George W. Ever.
- June 23, 2008 at 7:37 AM
- Ann said...
Lacy - lol, you are so cool! So darn cool!
Flanboyant - Why do the best foods in life have the most calories, WHY?
Manager Mom - I know - isn't it scary sometimes - the clarity that comes w/ age, the kind we don't really want?
Jenn - LOL. See the point is, I didn't pardon GWB for anything - it was all blanks, but nobody got the joke. Clearly, I am not a good comedian. :)
- June 23, 2008 at 7:54 PM
- Gigi said...
This was too funny! I loved it!
I pardon myself for not wanting to pardon anyone.
- June 23, 2008 at 8:34 PM
- zick said...
I pardon my parents for bringing me into this world.
- June 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM


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Right and Wrong: Psychologists vs. Philosophers
Experiments in Ethics
Moral philosophers, naturally enough, want to make ethics look good. They want to make people look capable and respectable as moral agents. But they are working with difficult material. Humans are not as tidy, as thoughtful, or as disciplined as the moralists would like them to be.
Not only that, but modern ethics builds on foundations established centuries—or, in the case of Aristotle, Moses, and Jesus, millennia—before anyone knew much about the springs and mechanisms of human conduct. Cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists, and evolutionary theorists have uncovered quite a bit in the last few decades, and at first sight what they have discovered does not look good for the conventional picture. The traits we call "virtues" do not reliably generate actions of the kinds that we value. The thoughts we call "intuitions" evince emotional responses unhappily skewed by our evolutionary history. The more we learn about the sources of our actions and judgments, the harder the task of connecting these modes of behavioral and sentimental responsiveness with the careful thinking about values and principles that moralists do for a living and that they urge upon everyone else.
How should moral philosophers react to all this? One response is to batten down the hatches and reaffirm the independence of our discipline from psychology. Around the end of the nineteenth century, philosophy thought it could work itself pure through "anti-psychologism"—by distancing itself from psychology. This has been a fruitful dissociation in areas like logic, but should we expect it to be helpful in ethics? Ethics is devoted to the evaluation of actions and motives; not only that, but it tries to construct a system of evaluation that is based upon, but also used to discipline, the way we respond to the dilemmas of ordinary life. Trying to separate all that from psychology seems, in an image used by Kwame Anthony Appiah, "like trying to peel a raspberry."
Appiah's new book, Experiments in Ethics , counsels against the insular approach. Professor Appiah is the former director of the Center for Human Values at Princeton and one of our most imaginative writers on topics like culture, values, and individual identity. His previous books include Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers (2006), The Ethics of Identity (2005), and In My Father's House: Africa in the Philosophy of Culture (1992). He is a philosopher but one not bound by any disciplinary straitjacket; he succeeds in what he does by inviting his readers to stand back with him from the preoccupations of any particular style of theorizing. Experiments in Ethics is based on a set of lectures that Appiah delivered at Bryn Mawr College in 2005. The lightness of his lecture style has been preserved in the book and that, together with his determination to make analytic moral philosophy the topic rather than the method of his study, has given us a wry and engaging account of the challenge…
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- Guidelines for Certification of a Physical Containment Level 2 Invertebrate Facility (PDF 251 KB)
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LANGFORD, BC - Duncan, BC standout Pat Kay produced a flawless 20-point kicking performance on Monday afternoon to lead the BC Bears to their first win of the 2013 Canadian Rugby Championship. The Canada Under-20 national team Captain was eight-for-eight through the uprights contributing four conversions, three penalties and a drop goal in the 40-18 victory over Quebec and Maritimes representatives The Rock.
Monday night's Bears squad were a completely revamped outfit from Friday night's loss to Ontario as speedsters Sean Ferguson (UBC Thunderbirds), Clayton Meeres (James Bay AA), Joe Dolesau (Burnaby Lake) and forwards substitute Luke Campbell (UVic Vikes) were each given plenty of space to record tries.
"We knew what was coming, we just couldn't stop it," said The Rock head coach Simon Blanks after the game. "Pat Kay had the best game I've ever seen him play and I thought Adam Kleeberger was outstanding at the break down."
Kay opened the scoring with three straight penalties as the Bears jumped out to a 9-0 lead.
The Rock had an opportunity of their own for a quick three points but opted for a scrum inside the 22 and the ball was knocked on in the ensuing play.
The first try came in the 24th minute as BC inside centre Dolesau sprinted down the wing, shaking off several tacklers before off-loading to Ferguson who dotted down. Kay tacked on the conversion from way outside and the Bears were roaring at 16-0.
The Rock would pull one back in the 23rd minute after a full 15-man lineout forced BC to concede a penalty on their own five-metre line. Off the ensuing scrum the ball was spun wide and Rob Wilson (St Anne de Bellevue) went over to make it 5-16.
Kay sparked an offensive play in the 27th minute, slicing through the Rock for a 30-metre dash before offloading to Meeres who crashed over to make it 21-5. A conversion from Kay then put the hosts up 23-5.
Kay would tack on a drop goal in the 33rd minute and put his side up 26-5 at the half.
"During the break between games we focused a lot on our aggression and technique at the breakdown," said BC Bears head coach Jim Dixon when asked what the difference was between the Bears two Labour Day weekend matches. "We wanted a better platform to attack from and I think we achieved that today."
The second half opened with the Rock scoring a try as Zach Coughlan (Swilers RFC) finished off a well worked team try going over in the corner to make it 26-10. Wilson would then add another penalty in the 62nd minute to see the Rock closing in 26-13.
The final 15 minutes then featured three tries and it was BC's substitute Luke Campbell (UVic Vikes) who ran in a try in the 67th. Kay converted and it was 33-13.
As the clock wore out and The Rock shifted four forwards into the back line to deal with injuries, Toni Wodzicki (Balmy Beach) would barrel through for a score to make it 18-33.
The final play of the game featured an impressive display of pace and power as Dolesau handed off a tackler at the 22-metre line and sprinted under the posts for the final score. Kay had the final points as he kicked the conversion for the 40-18 win.
"I'm obviously very pleased to get the result and it's important that we got those four tries," added BC coach Dixon. "We've got lots to build on for our next game against Ontario but it was a great result."
BC will now gear up for their final games on the road as they take on the Ontario Blues in Lindsay on September 14th and then head to Edmonton to face the Prairie Wolf Pack on September 21st.
BC: Pat Kay 4 conversions, 3 penalties, 1 drop goalTries; Sean Ferguson, Joe Dolesau, Clayton Meeres, Luke CampbellRock: Tries: Rob Wilson, Toni Wodzicki, Zach CoughlanPenalties: WilsonBC Bears Roster1. Anthony Luca (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club)2. Andrew Lackner (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) 3. Scott MacKay (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club)4. Jim de Goede (James Bay AA) 5. Aaron Flagg (Abbotsford RFC) 6. Callum Morrison (Meraloma Rugby Club) 7. Adam Kleeberger (UVic Vikes) 8. Chris Chalmers (Abbotsford RFC) 9. Jonny Morris (Castaway Wanderers RFC)10. Pat Kay (UVic Vikes) 11. Clayton Meeres (James Bay AA) 12. Steve Battie (Burnaby Lake) 13. Joe Dolesau (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) 14. Evan Thomas (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club)15. Sean Ferguson (UBC Thunderbirds)Reserves16. Alex Boyd (Meraloma Rugby Club)17. Ryan March (Abbotsford RFC) 18. Luke Campbell (UVic Vikes) 19. Admir Cejvanovic (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) 20. Caleb Hansen (Vancouver Rowing Club) 21. Luke McCloskey (UVic Vikes) 22. Henry Recinos (Vancouver Rowing Club) Bears Team StaffHead Coach - Jim DixonAssistant Coach - Kenny GoodlandManager - Hans de GoedeAthletic Therapist - Michelle Jones Team Doctor - Dr. Don Hedges The Rock Roster 1. Steve Cutcliffe (Dogs RFC)2. Jordan Power (Dogs RFC)3. Bob Rogers (Dogs RFC)4. Toni Wodzicki (Balmy Beach RFC)5. Mike Haycock (Ottawa Irish RFC)6. Kevin Parfrey (Swilers RFC)7. Matt Heaton (Ste. Anne de Bellevue RFC)8. Kyle Baillie (St. Albert RFC)9. Mike Simpson (Swilers RFC)10. Patrick Parfrey (Swilers RFC)11. Hayden Thomassin (Ste. Anne de Bellevue RFC)12. Bryce Thomassin (Ste. Anne de Bellevue RFC)13. Robert Wilson (c) (Swilers RFC)14. Jason Picco (Baymen RFC)15. Andrew Jamieson (Ste. Anne de Bellevue RFC)
Reserves16. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC )17. Owen Parfrey (Swilers RFC)18. Justin Meyers (Swilers RFC)19. Mike Holloway (Baymen RFC)20. Grant Crowell (Valley Bulldogs RFC)21. Zac Coughlan (Swilers RFC)22. Ian Armour (Windsor Machine RFC)Head Coach: Simon Blanks Coach: Les GilsonAsst. Coach: Jack Hanratty Team Physician: Dr. John Gillis Videographer: Benvon CramerStrength and Conditioning: Bobber ThompsonManager: Rick Graham Swilers RFCDirector of Rugby: Dr. Pat Parfrey Swilers RFC Match OfficialsReferee: Sherry TrumbullAssistant Referee: Dave SmortchevskyAssistant Referee: Nathan Abdelnour


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Ginnie Mae is making available the HECM Mortgage-Backed Securities (HMBS) Loan-Level Disclosure Layout, version 1.1, for disclosure of HMBS loan-level information. The document's version history provides details about the updates from version 1.0. Ginnie Mae will be releasing HMBS loan-level data in two phases.
Ginnie Mae is targeting the third quarter of 2013 for implementing phase 1 of the monthly loan-level disclosure file. Phase 1 loan-level disclosure will use the new Loan-Level Disclosure Layout, but will only be populated for data items currently collected from its Issuers.
Phase 2 is targeted for the first quarter of 2014 and will encompass both monthly loan-level disclosure and new issuance disclosure. Both will utilize the new Loan-Level Disclosure Layout like phase 1, but will be populated with the "new" data elements that will be collected from Issuers.
A test file will be available in the second quarter of 2013.


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This is where to meet guys in Boston
Not my lipstick, or my number. But you get the point. (Credit: iStockphoto)
If youâve been a regular reader of this blogâfirst of all, thank you!âyouâll know by now that my personal preference toward online dating is skeptical at best. Yes, Iâve seen it work for other people, including close friends, and no, I donât think Iâm better than anyone else. Itâs just something Iâm not comfortable with, maybe just right now, or maybe ever, which is admittedly weird, given that I just bared my soul at Mortified last month (never mind writing for the Internet, which comes with its own set of grievancesâhello, mean commenters!).
That said, I do date a lotâitâs one of the reasons why Iâm writing about it to begin withâand one of the questions Iâm frequently asked is where I meet the guys I go out with, since I havenât (yet) stepped foot into the online dating corral; almost as if I'm hoarding secrets, or have some magic wand to wave and make a date appear. While Iâm happy to volunteer my answers to people who ask me face-to-face, itâs always struck me as a topic thatâs too condescending to share online. As in: I certainly donât think Iâm the end-all, know-all expert, or that people who date online (or have trouble meeting guys) are pathetic. If anything, I think meeting people in real life comes with its own set of challenges; namely, that it requires being okay with rejection (which is par for the course as a writer) and the willingness to go out alone (more about that below). Still, Iâve been asked about it enough times, both by readers and acquaintances, that I felt compelled to put together a short list of where (and in some cases, how) Iâve consistently met men around Boston.
Yes, a short list, and one for the ladies, because opportunities to meet people romantically or otherwise aboundâif youâre willing to put yourself out there. Thereâs also something to be said about the willingness to let go of expectations (see my note about rejection, above), and have fun with it. But I digress: this is my blogâthanks, Boston.com!âand if you werenât interested in what I have to say, you wouldnât still be reading.
(Cue awkward silence; uncomfortable laughter)
The Good Life and the Middlesex Lounge
Yep, Iâve put two completely separate places next to one bullet point. Why? Well, if I'm in the mood to go dancing, I head to one or the other. Youâve probably seen these names in some of my previous posts; thatâs because theyâre my hands-down favorite spots to go out in Boston. They both hit the nail on the head all-aroundâfrom the ambiance, to the DJs, to the drinks, to the people who show upâto be frank, there arenât many other places I like to dance in the city (and believe me, I love to shake some booty). Not surprisingly, Iâm a generally a happy camper when Iâm at either locale, and itâs probably my cheery attitude that's attracted me to the men folk, and vice versa. If youâre not much of a dancer, or if youâre not a fan of either place, then simply substitute a favorite destination that keeps a smile plastered on your face.
On a side note, I used to look down on meeting people in bars and clubsâit seemed cheesy and obviousâbut if you take away the alcohol (I donât recommend getting wasted if you want to meet someone to date; if youâre looking for something more casual, like a sloppy makeout session in the bathroom, then suit yourselfâtrust me, I'm not judging), itâs a great way to meet a variety of people.
Thereâs something in the air at Athanâsâah, yes: the scent of baked goods!âbecause Iâve literally been approached by at least one guy every time Iâve gone here (usually, to write). Itâs never been a game plan of mine, like, âI need an ego boost! Oh, Iâll just go to Athanâs and hope someone talks to me,â but it happens. And Iâve seen it happen to other people, too, which is why Iâm including it on the list.
From what Iâve observed, there seems to be a good ratio of men-to-women (again, Iâm writing this from a heterosexual point of view), and most people seem friendly and approachable. One conversation circumvented around having the same magazine on each of our respective tables; another started when I asked if I could swap places on the electrical outlet totem pole. Either way, the key hereâand in generalâis to keep the earbuds out. Also, I recommend their gluten-free chocolate cookies. Delicious.
The Paradise, Brighton Music Hall, the Middle East, Wilbur Theatre (and so on)
At the risk of sounding trite, Iâm a music fanatic, and seeing live shows is an important part of keeping my creative juices flowing. (Are you seeing a pattern here? Following your interests first, and letting everything else happen, etc.?) I generally inquire among friends if theyâd like to join me for an event first, music-related or not; if no one else is game, I just go by myself.
Which is how Iâve met guys at the last several shows Iâve been to. Thereâs lots already written about the benefits of going out alone (including a piece crafted by yours truly), the most important takeaway of which is that you (women) are less intimidating to men when you roll solo than when youâre surrounded by a flock of your girlfriends. All of these venues are small and intimate compared to places like the Garden and Pavilion, and aren't overwhelming for those who decide to go alone for whatever reason; plus, I just prefer to experience live music that way. Most of the men Iâve met in these places have seem impressed, if not shocked, that a woman is out at, say, a Wu-Tang show by herself (oh yes I did); then again, when many of your friends are married with children, the choice is to either sit at home and wish you were out, or go alone, practice your best DGAF and enjoy your own company.
Benches. Wide-open swaths of green space upon which to park oneâs behind atop a blanket. Fountains. Pigeons. (Shudder)
The thing about the Common is that most, if not everyone, is there intentionally. If you need to get from the Theater District to the Back Bay, you could easily walk down Boylston Streetâor you can cut through, and put yourself literally on the path to a lot of people. Allow me to repeat myself: keep your music devices tucked away. I love me some get-pumped music (bow down, y'all), and I often rely upon it to survive horrific rides on the T. But nothing says âLeave me the eff aloneâ like someone storming angrily through the sidewalk, eyes averted, white buds shoved into ears. (Yes, Iâve been that person, and yes, itâs scary/ugly.)
Got a book to read? Bring it to the Common (and if you need a recommendation, Cheryl Strayedâs Wild is fantastic). Have a snack to munch on? Eat it in the Common (and for the love of God, donât feed it to the pigeons). Want to zone out for half an hour? Meditate in the Common. If nothing else, you can enjoy the slowly-closing window of decent weather weâve got before it gets nasty outside, which is right around when everyone starts pining for humid, 105-degree days while parked on their couches.
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